What to give the runner who has everything? Given how particular runners are about the shoes they wear, it’s probably best to skip giving them a new pair of trainers (that’s kind of like gifting underwear to someone). But there is plenty of other athletic gear, cool technology, and fun stuff that’s both useful and sure to please. Find just the right thing for your favorite fitness enthusiast with our gift guide for runners.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
$599 from Amazon
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This pricey percussion massage gun is what you give the runner who has everything. If you’re feeling less generous but still want to give ’em a gift to work out their post-run muscle kinks, this knock-off Opove model from Amazon also gets great reviews.
$150 from Amazon
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Runners need earbuds that are sweatproof, stay put, and sound great. They’ve gotta be easy to use, too. These Jabra earbuds deliver, according to reviewers at Runner's World and PCMag (among others) and owners alike, and deliver more than seven hours on a full charge.
$28 and up from RunnerBox
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For the runner who loves little gifts, there’s RunnerBox. Each month, they’ll receive a box with 10 to 12 samples of treats, wellness, and nutrition products.
$17 from Amazon
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Nothing’s worse than having to break stride because your eyes are stinging from the perspiration rolling off your forehead. Halo headbands direct sweat away from the face, wicking away moisture while staying put on your head. Available in nine colors, including reflective silver for nighttime runs.
$23 and up from Run Ink
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Running a marathon is an accomplishment to be proud of. Give ’em a reminder of that memorable race that will look good on any wall. Run Ink offers maps of literally hundreds of marathons in the U.S., Canada, and overseas, plus triathlon routes and custom maps, too.
Related: The Best Personalized Gifts for Everyone on Your List
$8 and up from Amazon
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Cheapism readers know a good product when they see it, and they have made this anti-chafe balm a bestseller.
$17 from Amazon
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Olympic veteran. Boston Marathon champion. New York Times bestselling author. Meb Keflezighi reflects on his life as an athlete through the lens of the marathons he has run.
$19 and up from Stance
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Running socks need to be comfortable and durable, yes, but they should be fun, too. Give your favorite runner a gift that keeps on giving with a subscription to Stance. New socks (styles range from no-show to over-the-calf) will arrive monthly or quarterly.
$22 and up from Amazon
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Stash a house key, bus pass, ID, or a few bucks for the post-run smoothie in this slim, reflective runner’s belt. It’s available in nine colors and comes in seven sizes that range from XX-small to XX-large.
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$160 and up from Amazon
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This nylon running vest comes with two 17-ounce soft flasks to stay hydrated, 7 pockets up front, and two more in the back, plus a safety whistle, straps for trekking poles, and room for an optional 1.5-liter water bladder. Male and female reviewers alike say the vest cinches closed for a comfortable, snug fit that can be worn for hours.
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$37 from REI
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For runners who prefer to stay closer to home, a hand-held water bottle is perfectly adequate for staying hydrated outside. This insulated 18-ounce flask comes with a zippered pouch big enough for a phone and keys, plus a padded hand strap that keeps it firmly in your grasp no matter how sweaty your hand may get.
$291 from Amazon
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If all your running buddy wants to do is focus on running and tracking his or her performance — without being distracted by phone calls, text messages, or emails — this Garmin is one of the best, according to Runners World and Wirecutter (not to mention several hundred satisfied Amazon customers). It also syncs with Spotify and other streaming services so they can sweat to the oldies as they run.
$35 from Amazon
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Unknot those tight muscles with this foam roller, which earns kudos from reviewers and runners alike for its durable build and gridded exterior, which targets trigger points and massages away knots.
Related: Useful Gifts for All the Practical People On Your List
$300 from Best Buy
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Keep a video journal of your runs with this GoPro voice-controlled 4K action camera. It's waterproof, can shoot time-lapse and nighttime video, plus you can livestream to Facebook Live or YouTube.
Related: The Best Gifts for Photographers from Newbies to Pros
Price varies from eBay
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For the racehorse who is also a clotheshorse. A recent search turned up cool ringer T-shirts from the 1977 New York City and 1983 Cleveland marathons, plus a long-sleeve tee from the 1992 Portland Marathon.
$550 from Amazon
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This is one of the top-rated jogging strollers available in its price range, according to trusted sources like Good Housekeeping and Wirecutter, not to mention thousands of parents who've purchased one. It's available as a single or double stroller and comes with a generous canopy to keep the sun off your little one, plus a half-dozen storage pockets to stash keys, phone, water, and snacks.
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$5 and up from Road ID
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These bracelets, smartwatch bands, and shoe tags can be engraved with the kind of personal information runners would want on hand in case they become incapacitated during a run: name, closest contact, phone numbers, and so on. For an additional fee, Road ID can also provide first responders with a secure link to medical information and history.
$21 from Amazon
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Take care of your body and it will care for you. This collection of recipes ranges from soup to nuts, and also includes shopping and cooking tips, sample menus, and resources to maintain a healthy diet while you train.
Related: Practical and Purposeful Kitchen Gifts They'll Actually Use
$35 from Amazon
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Show off your athletic accomplishments (no matter where you placed in the big race) with this metal display frame. It can hold 24 medals and up to 100 racing bibs, plus it's made in the U.S.A.
Related: 75 Gifts That Are Made in America
$25 from Amazon
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We were surprised at how many best-of lists (among them Runner’s World and Women’s Health) this pair of cheap, plastic-lens sunglasses showed up on. But they get the job done. About 1,000 Amazon buyers give them a very high average score of 4.7 out of 5, too. Bonus: They’ve available in a range of fun frame and lens colors.
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$30 from Road Runner Sports
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Stuff their stockings with these energy packets or tuck them inside another gift for your favorite runner. Choose from 12 flavors, including orange, lemon, vanilla, chocolate, salted watermelon, or go with a variety pack.
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$30 from Amazon
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Runners, geologists, hikers, spelunkers ... it really doesn’t matter what you do in the dark as long as there’s ample light to see by. This entry-level Petzl headlamp produces a wide, flat beam of 300 lumens and can be switched from white to red light so fellow runners don't get blinded.
Related: 50 Christmas Gifts for $50 or Less
$25 from Amazon
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This adjustable, polyester mesh ball cap has a slim, zippered pocket on each side to stash personal items, plus a reflective strip on the adjustable rear strap. Available in a few colors.
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Varies from Amazon
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Amazon carries a variety of publications aimed at runners and outdoors enthusiasts, including Runner's World, Trail Runner, Women's Running, and Triathlete magazines. Some are print-only offers, while others (like Runner's World) are also available on Kindle.
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$15 from Amazon
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For those who still insist on taking their phones along when running. This one gets good marks from the runners at Wirecutter, who know a thing or two about a thing or two.
$13 from Athletic Brewing Co.
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After the race, time to celebrate (responsibly, of course). As we discovered when we conducted a taste test of non-alcoholic beers, there are only a few brews that actually taste like beer. This is one of them, and we thought it was the best of the bunch.
Varies from Amazon
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Let’s be honest: Some people are impossible to please. So give ‘em what they really want: the freedom to choose for themselves.
